1.5 million computers donated to Canadians through Computers for Schools

Minister Bains marks an important milestone in this program, which is helping the next generation of Canadians acquire the digital skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, the Sep 29, 2017 / CNW / - Employees with digital skills are increasingly sought after in the modern digital economy. The government of Canada is committed to ensuring that all Canadians acquire the skills they need to take on the well-paying jobs of today and tomorrow.

This is the message delivered today by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the Honorable Navdeep Bains. Minister Bains was accompanied by the Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Lakeshore, Sven Spengemann, to underline the achievement of a milestone of the program Computers for schools (OPE): 1.5 million computers delivered throughout the Canada. The celebration took place at Homelands Public School in Mississauga, with the participation of several of the partners and beneficiaries of the OPE program.

As part of the OPE program of the government of Canada, computers donated by the public are refurbished and distributed to schools, libraries, nonprofits and Indigenous communities across the country. Canada. This program has provided employment to more than 6,900 young interns across the country and has recovered millions of tonnes of material that would otherwise have ended up in landfills as electronic waste.

The OPE program is one of many programs that aim to provide Canadians with access to computers and the Internet and to enable them to acquire digital skills. The program goes well with Innovation and skills plan government, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class.

The facts in brief

• Since 1993, the Computers for Schools program has distributed over 1.5 million refurbished computers to schools, libraries, registered nonprofits, and Indigenous and refugee communities across the country. Canada. The program has provided employment to more than 6,900 young people in all regions of the country.
• The OPE program enables public administrations and businesses to reduce their environmental footprint by reusing and recycling computer equipment.
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada delivers this program in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, not-for-profit organizations, the private sector and volunteers.

Related links

• Computers for schools
• Innovation and skills plan

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISDE

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada